Shantanu Mukharji

In a most shameful and brazen act displaying a high degree of religious intolerance, several groups of Islamic radicals vandalized several Durga idols at various puja pandals on the significant and most solemn Durgashtami in different districts of Bangladesh on October 13. Worst was Hajigunj in Cumilla district where more than sixty persons were injured and at least three killed in mob violence. Police proved utterly ineffective in controlling the vandals, who are the name of their faith, targeted Hindu idols of worship in most condemnable cases of desecration, perpetrating mindless violence.

Other places affected by such communally charged violence included Banskhali, Karnapur, Chittagong, Kurigram, and Maulavi Bazar. In the port city of Chittagong violence, not only Durga idols’ limbs were severed, there were chanting of anti-Hindu slogans as part of vitiating of communal harmony. Many knowledgable quarters assess that the perpetrators are inspired by the Taliban’s ascent to power recently in Afghanistan thus emboldening the zealots to assault the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh during their annual Durga Puja festivity. At the time this piece going to the press, reports are trickling in that bordering town of Pabna also witnessed brutal attacks at the Hindu places of worship.

Meanwhile, it is apprehended that Vijaya Dashami falling on a Friday night raises the chances of assaults as the hardened bigots are likely to deliver inflammatory sermons at the ‘juma ‘ (Friday) congregations which may further heighten the tension. Hence, more violence can not be altogether ruled out. Although Border Guards Bangladesh ( BGB) has been deployed in communally sensitive and affected areas, things still look fraught with communal frenzy.

Prominent Hindu leaders, in the meantime, met the Home Minister Asaduzaman Kamal who assured tough measures against the vandals. He said Prime Minister Hasina is also seized of these disturbing developments but action on part of the law enforcing agencies must be seen on the ground for the Hindus to feel safe and secure. However, as of now, this looks distant. Many feel that all those manning the affected districts as the SPs have proved ineffective and hence they need to be replaced by professional and doer officers to instill confidence among the minority. The Hindu leaders also say that they have met the ruling party ( Awami League ) General Secretary Obaidul Qader who in turn has pacified the agitated Hindus that party rank and file will visit the communally hit areas to restore order and tranquil. This also remains to be seen on the ground.

Other than the police and intelligence field officers responsible for law and order, party MPs should also visit their constituencies to ensure peace so that the festivities go off smoothly. It’s alleged that MP from Brahmanbaria, A Bahauddin Bahar is currently on Umrah in Saudi Arabia. It would have been in the interest of his constituency if he had remained with his electorate during the sensitive Durga Puja when the dates are known much in advance. Many are alleging that such a trip now could be an alibi giving rise to suspicions that the plot was perhaps pre-planned though it can not be asserted with complete evidence. Whatever, the intelligence outfits in Bangladesh need to pull up their socks to feed actionable intelligence to the district police to prevent a possible unpleasant scene. In Cumilla, Chittagong, and a few other places, processions were brought out marching towards the puja pandals to vandalize. Surely, with advanced intelligence, it could have been prevented. But sadly that was not to be.

In the meantime, Hindus are reeling under fear and anxiety for more assaults as the puja festivities draw to a close. Authorities in Bangladesh may like to re-assess the role of the communal forces like Hefazat e Islam and its affiliates particularly in the aftermath of the Taliban coming to power in Kabul strengthening the religious ultras. And, Hefazat is Chittagong based with its nuisance potential almost everywhere in Bangladesh. This aspect is not to be missed. It’s not that after atrocities on Hindus, it may only lead to the exodus of the Hindu minority into India. There could be a backlash in India in a display of religious solidarity which also remains a possibility. It is, however, hoped this doesn’t happen yet this aspect is also to be watched to avoid any further unsavoury occurrences.

(The writer is a retired IPS officer, a security analyst, and a former National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mauritius. Views are personal)